Which of the following statements about the Godavari river are correct?
1. The river rises in the Sahyadris, near Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.
2. At Dowlaiswaram, the river divides into two branches, the Gautami and Vasishta.
3. The Gautami branch joins the Bay of Bengal flowing through the Yanam enclave of Union Territory of Puducherry.
4. On the north, it is bound by the Balaghat and the Mahadeo ranges stretching forth from the eastern flank of the Western Ghats.
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Correct option is B

The correct answer is (b) Only 1, 2, and 3

Explanation:

Let’s evaluate each statement:

1. Correct – The Godavari River originates in the Sahyadri Hills, near Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district, Maharashtra.

2. Correct – At Dowlaiswaram in Andhra Pradesh, the Godavari splits into two distributaries: Gautami and Vasishta, which form part of the Godavari Delta.

3.  Correct – The Gautami branch of the river flows through the Yanam enclave of the Union Territory of Puducherry and joins the Bay of Bengal.

4.  Incorrect – The Balaghat and Mahadeo ranges are not directly associated with the Godavari’s northern boundary.

• These ranges are part of central India and are more associated with the Narmada basin than the Godavari.
• The northern boundary of the Godavari basin includes Satmala Hills, Ajanta, and Mahadeo Hills, but not as a direct stretch from the Western Ghats' eastern flank.

Information Booster:

Godavari River – Key Facts

• Second-longest river in India after the Ganga; third-largest in terms of discharge and basin area.
• Often referred to as “Dakshina Ganga” or the Ganges of the South.
• Origin: Brahmagiri Hills, Trimbakeshwar, Nashik district, Maharashtra.
• Length: Approximately 1,465 km.
• Mouth: Empties into the Bay of Bengal near Narasapuram, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.

Course and Drainage Basin

• Flows primarily through Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
• The basin covers parts of Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
• Total drainage area: ~313,000 sq. km (~10% of India’s geographical area).
• Boundaries of the basin:
• North: Satmala Hills, Ajanta Range, Mahadeo Hills
• South & East: Eastern Ghats
• West: Western Ghats
• Receives maximum rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon.

Major Tributaries

• Left-bank:
• Pravara, Purna, Manjra, Penganga, Wardha, Wainganga
• Right-bank:
• Pranhita (formed by Wardha, Wainganga & Penganga),
• Indravati, Maner, Sabari